So I‘m now 2/2 with Carley Fortune! I‘ve always been a sucker for summer-romance-at-the-lake and second chances. I may have found a new (to me) must read romance author!

Generally speaking, I‘m not a huge fan of character driven books. I like more plot. But this one was fascinating! It takes a look at the building of the Panama Canal from the perspectives of native Panamanians, immigrants from Caribbean islands looking to earn money working on the project, and Americans who came either to work on the project directly, or indirectly by studying mosquito-borne diseases, and more. Intriguing.

Fun and cute romance featuring a single dad, a woman with a disability, and the service dog(s) that bring them together. A little, I don‘t know, childish? In parts…. Not sure how to describe it. But overall a fun read. Shown here with my Stella.

Ooh this was good. It tells the story of three generations of Dakhota women, who each have a special doll as a companion, and how they survive the trauma that came from colonization and subsequent Indian Boarding Schools, either directly or as a descendant. Cannot wait to see how the book group reacts! #ownvoices

This came recommended by one of my book group members - and they were right, I loved it! This fancy Newport boutique hotel is both the scene where one woman plans on ending her life, and where another is holding her extravagant 6 day wedding celebration. They become unexpected confidants, and change each other‘s lives. #bookspinbingo #doublespin

Finished this book at breakfast before I went to vote…. I love Carroll‘s artistry and the way she weaves a chilling tale. From the synopsis, I was expecting more of a “Rebecca” vibe, but that‘s not really it. Two thumbs up!

Ready for November! #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

This was way better than I expected! I don‘t even know why I had low expectations, maybe that‘s just been this book groups luck lately…. But a queer historical tale based in selkie folklore…. I loved the build up!

I have never seen the movie and am so glad I finally read/listened to this book! Classic King horror…it‘s just so twisted and creepy! And it got me a #bingo for #bookspinbingo and #hauntedshelf #deadserious

I really enjoyed this, and cried more than I expected.

Fun, spicy, and enjoyable novella that‘s pure Ali Hazelwood!

I didn‘t come close to finishing this before today‘s book group - only 19% - but still correctly guessed who did it. After the discussion, I‘m not going to continue the book. Moving on….

Very timely and important story on the current wave of book challenges and attempts to restrict access to books in libraries from the perspective of a middle school librarian who spoke out against these acts at a public library board meeting-as a citizen- and was targeted by online bullies for the other side. She fought back. Not great writing (very repetitive) but unfortunately very necessary.

This was FASCINATING. I‘ve been lucky enough to visit the canyon twice (so far) and it is just so awe inspiring. I appreciated this story of two guys hiking the whole damn thing (in sections), how inept they were, particularly at the beginning, and the friends and support they had to get it done. I also appreciated the history of the park, and how the native peoples were treated by the white settlers & when the park was established.

Another fun novella from this writing duo! I mean, it features a Twilight-inspired musical on a cruise ship! 😂😂 #doublespin #bookspinbingo #hauntedshelf #deadserious #otherbook - kicking it right off with a book NOT on my TBR 🤦‍♀️

Alright, here‘s my October #bookspinbingo list, which is similar but not an exact copy of my #hauntedshelf TBR list. I‘m nervous that I don‘t have enough mystery/spooky books on here, so I‘ve left some extra “impulse” spots to add as I get going.

Fun and sexy novella that falls in with the Christmas Notch book series that I‘ve enjoyed. Here we see Luca and Angel‘ story following the 1st Christmas Notch adventure (looks like ebook only until June 2025, when it will/might be published combined with a second novella)

Looking forward to #HauntedShelf starting in just a few days! Go Team #DeadSerious! Here are my answers for this or that:
1) Werewolves 🐺 2) Thriller 😱 3) Salted Caramel 🍮 4) Funny Costume 😆 5) Chocolate 🍫 6) Apple Picking 🍎 7) Sweater 👚 8) Corn Maze 🌽 9) hand out candy 🍬 @OriginalCyn620

Yup - this was perfect for me right now. I am loving the Meant to Be series of retellings- and this Little Mermaid with a Latin twist was so fun!

One of the worst audios ever… particularly the male narrator. It definitely affected my enjoyment in f the story.

Alright, here‘s my #hauntedshelf #tbrlist. It‘s far larger than what I can actually read in October… but I am a mood reader, so wanted to be prepared. When it comes to my #bookspinbingo list, I‘m sure I‘ll still leave some spots for impulse reads…. But hopefully I‘ll get a good many of these off my shelves by November!

Loved this fun retelling of the movie Tangled! And I realized I missed a book in this series, so off to start it now😍

By October, I‘m usually looking for new challenges or events to liven up my reading game. This year, in the absence of #scarathlon (enjoy your family time ladies!) I‘m going to try #HauntedShelf with @PuddleJumper It seems very similar, which promises fun, and I just might get some books off my TBR shelf in the process!! Sign ups are open: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7g2cbAys_w6B9G5HHloV6kRr1yQvXVOptseGn...

Eh, alright. I appreciate the look into Iran, especially life after the revolution, from the female perspective. And a female academic who was educated in Europe at that. But the flow of the narrative was confusing at times, and I couldn‘t keep the students straight. Also, the tone felt smug, and for a memoir - left a lot of personal things out.

This is NOT my usual - I am definitely more of a plot-driven reader, and this is really a character study. And while the MC is a bit much at times, she still felt real. I appreciate this look how my life might be in just a few years- children grown, menopause in full gear, aging parents. This was quite atmospheric too, with the setting being a week long family vacation at the beach. I could feel that.

This was great! A romance, sure, but one that explores grief and survivors guilt in a thoughtful way.

This is not my usual cup of tea, and it took me a bit to feel settled into the story, but I ultimately enjoyed it. I think. It‘s all really very strange.

I‘ve been quite distracted lately-I just dropped my firstborn off at college for the first time. And now it‘s almost September? Here‘s my #bookspinbingo list!!

I was a little unsure about this to start, but then I liked how the story came together (yes predictable, but I still liked it) and I absolutely loved the honesty between these two. Def Hazelwood‘s spiciest book so far!

Eh, didn‘t love this at all. Garrick is a pretty flat character, and Bliss annoyed me. Even with just her name. There are far better new adult romances out there. This has a much better cover than the first run - and includes a bonus epilogue, you know, if you‘re really interested.

Ok, this was good but not great. There was really a lot going on in here (seriously- every possible teen thing from grief to first sex to suicide ideation to college applications) that I found my mind wandering at times.

Forgot I read this on vacation last week too! Really enjoyed it, despite the romance taking a back seat to other issues for a bit in the middle. My heart broke for Anna a bit (a lot) as she comes to learn new things about herself…. And her family.

Such a great story! I think Ostertag just gets better and better with each graphic novel. Here, Mags has a secret that her family trains her to keep hidden, even while it makes her miserable. A childhood friend comes to visit and suddenly it‘s a lot harder to keep the secret hidden. Loved the story, the characters, the art… everything.

This was EXCELLENT. Tough story, and told extremely well. The narrator on the audio was perfect as well… this was on my list forever- probably from when it won the National Book Award and I‘m so glad I finally read it and will likely pick up more by her. Let me know what you might recommend!

Chose this as a short audiobook to listen to with my teenagers on a road trip. We all liked it! It is a novella, but I would‘ve been into a full length novel as well- there was a lot here that could‘ve been more deeply explored

If you enjoy cats, get your hands on this graphic novel. You‘ll love it (and this is from a former cat mom now dog mom)

I can‘t believe it‘s already August 😳. Here is my #bookspinbingo list! @TheAromaofBooks

I was intrigued by the premise - if Romeo & Juliet had lived… and what if Verona‘s most famous couple-in-love‘s firstborn avoided getting married like it‘s her job… what would happen? Ultimately, it was slow to start and felt a little off with some language used…. I was slightly more engaged towards the end, but I won‘t continue with the series.

Eh…. I read this book for a book club that focuses on books by underrepresented authors/subjects and while she does make a point to discuss her intersecting identities of being a black and disabled woman who has had mental health challenges…. Some of the essays were a bit meandering and felt a bit immature. I‘d be curious to see her write a similar book in 20 years, with more life & writing experience.

Loved this! Family trauma, mental health struggles, and some great characters. Devoured this over the weekend, couldn‘t put it down!

This audio was amazing! I loved her vulnerable voice and just how unreliable a character June is. This was just a magical story.

This was an impulse I grabbed off the shelf at work because of I had to read a book I hated (not even going to post about it) and wanted something light and fun. So, this absolutely worked for me in the way I needed.

Enjoyable read, but I definitely liked the first book better. Decent on audio - except toward the end, it almost got screechy when doing the older lady voices who were excited. I had to turn the volume down (because I, myself, am becoming an older lady it seems 😂)

I really enjoyed this thriller set in New Zealand and deep within the Māori culture, traditions, and particularly the history that comes from centuries of racism following the British colonizers theft of their native land and sacred spaces. The audio was fantastic and added to the suspense. I‘ll admit to driving white knuckled thru some tense scenes!

Just binged this on a camping trip…. Hazelwood has her story and she tells a bit differently each time which should annoy me but instead I find it very comforting

I can‘t believe July is tomorrow! #bookspinbingo

Full confession: this is my first Kristen Hannah book, but it won‘t be my last. I am absolutely here for learning the untold stories of heroic women in a man‘s supposed world (war, specifically Vietnam War). I thought the romantic tangents were a little much, but I appreciated how they helped bring Frankie to her rock bottom and allow her to rebuild and heal.

It‘s been quite a bit since I was a children‘s librarian, but I still like reading picture books from time to time. Recently there was one of those “help me find this book based on this vague description” posts on librarian FB and at the end of the, I realized I was not at all familiar with this Eve Bunting book… and now I am. Great message, a little scary and sad (it is an allegory about the Holocaust), excellent illustrations.

Finished my other audio, but wanted to keep on jigsaw puzzling so I grabbed this from Libby real quick. I had always wanted to read it, and oh my heart! What a wonderful story!! I need to look into the sequel/companion book now I think ❤️

Just finished for this week‘s book group…. And while I was fascinated by parts of the story, I was also annoyed with others. I mean the girl telling her story was mildly connected to Tony Costa in a “yikes that‘s freaky” looking back…. But felt a little inflated. And she had a horrible childhood to talk about aside from this brush with a murderer…. I wish more was known about Tony, his victims, but it doesn‘t seem like much was fully resolved